You've found places to stimulate you

But you know they'll never change you

You could run forever

And find that the heart

Still beats over your head

Red Morning- Devics

Chapter Nine:

"All right Dorjan, it's been nearly a week…when are you going to visit the Shaul girl?" Walter said as an introduction as he entered into Dorjan's office.

"I'm busy Mr. May." Dorjan replied as made a few marks on the sheet of paper in front of him. Walter scowled and sat down in a chair opposite to Dorjan's desk, lighting a cigar as he did so.

"No smoking please." Dorjan said. Walter grunted and made a point of putting the cigar out on Dorjan's leather chair.

After a few moments of silence, in which Walter became more and more impatient, Dorjan looked up and smiled thinly.

"Would you care for a drink?"

"No." Walter said heavily. "I don't want a drink…I just want you to get off of your…"

"Walter, my dear brother in law, I said that I would go and see Miss Shaul and I shall…when the time is convenient for me. This particular moment is not. Patience would do you some good."

"I don't want to be patient! I've been patient! I've got at least a dozen debts to repay, your sister's been chewing me ear off again about finding a place what doesn't leak when it rains and Devon's been wondering around with that whore from the House of Nine Sins!"

"Oh? And how many has he discovered?"

"Listen you lout, I don't have time for you to be sitting around all smarmy and such, I want that land!"

"Oh, calm down Walter." Dorjan said in tones that suggested the man was embarrassing himself. "Just give it another week or so. Trust me, the closer it is to the deadline the better…particularly for Devon's sake."

"But what if it doesn't work!?"

"I really think that's up to you, isn't it? I believe I'm doing my part." He sighed when he saw Walter's face. "So invite the girl for dinner or something…tell Devon to wash his hair and then if he can go five minutes without saying something stupid or killing something maybe things'll go better for you in the long run."

"You think?" Dorjan shrugged.

"It may be worth a try…since hassling her and spitting a lot doesn't seem to be doing the trick." Walter ignored his sarcasm…or perhaps he didn't notice. He rose from the chair.

"Well it'd certainly make me feel better about this whole thing. Right then, but five days tops that's it!" He said as he started for the door.

"Of course." Dorjan said. His smile faded as Walter exited the room. "Idiot."

XXX

Death snapped his fingers and the front door swung open. He turned back towards Elizabeth, who was sitting atop of Binky and offered her his hands. She took them without much thought as she dismounted the horse.

He thought; IT'S AMAZING HOW WELL THE HUMAN MIND ADJUSTS SOMETIMES.

She was thinking; God, his hands are cold.

Then they both let go.

"You ought to get a latch for that door." Elizabeth said absently.

I'VE NEVER HAD REASON TO. ALBERT USES THE BACK DOOR…AND I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THE HANG OF DOORKNOBS. He said the last bit with some embarrassment.

"Ah…well then there's really no need to, I suppose." It was a silly thing to say…as if she hadn't spent the last week working to fill Death's house up with several needless things.

I SHALL TAKE BINKY TO THE STABLES. I WILL MEET YOU LATER. He said.

"All right." Elizabeth headed towards the open door.

ELIZABETH? She stopped and turned back towards Death who looked slightly bewildered.

"Yes?"

WOULD YOU LIKE ONE?

"Pardon?" She asked, just a little uncomfortably.

A DOORKNOB. He said a little nervously. IT IS IMPORTANT?

"Oh…er…no that's all right…it's not that big of a deal."

He nodded.

ALL RIGHT. He said with some uncertainty, before heading.e saiHeHeHHhhjjpf off towards he stables once more with a bit more confidence.

How long has he been calling me by my first name? She frowned and went into his house.

XXX

Susan crossed her arms when her Grandfather came into the yard. He beamed when he saw her.

SUSAN. THIS IS UNEXPECTED. WHAT A PLEASANT SURPRISE.

"It shan't be for long." Susan replied with a sigh.

PARDON?

"I have to speak with you about something."

CERTAINLY. He let go of Binky who obediently went into the stables.

I TRUST YOU ARE WELL?

"I'm fine…look Granddad…"

YOUR TEACHING IS COMING ALONG ALL RIGHT?

"Yes, but…"

AND YOUR YOUNG MAN?

Susan sighed. What the hell use was small talk to Death? Why did she always have to go through this every time she saw him?

"What is the meaning of this?" Susan asked, motioning towards the flowers like someone might motion towards a horrible mess created when an adult left a three year old alone in a room too long with crayons or paint.

THEY ARE FLOWERS. Death said blankly.

"I see that. What happened to the lilies?" Susan asked wearily

THEY ARE GONE…WHY? YOU DO NOT LIKE THEM?

"Albert's told me you have a decorator." Susan said, ignoring his question.

HAS HE?

"Yes…he says she comes here everyday."

INDEED. Susan was getting frustrated.

"Well?"

WELL WHAT? He asked curiously.

"Why are you doing this!?"

I THINK IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE. Death said calmly.

"But a decorator? I mean…why would you bring another human being here after all that's already happened?" Susan asked, although she was beginning to feel that she already knew the outcome of this conversation. She didn't know what Albert thought she could do. It was extremely hard to talk Death out of something once he'd made his mind up about it.

THINGS HAVE ALWAYS TURNED OUT RATHER WELL AS FAR AS I HAVE SEEN. BESIDES, WHAT HARM COULD COME FROM THIS? Susan stared at him slack jawed for a moment.

"What about her? Have you thought of what this might do to her in the long run?"

WHY? WHAT MIGHT THIS DO TO HER? He asked, a little apprehensively.

"Well…humans have a hard time adjusting to this place…" Not to mention they have a hard time adjusting to you.

SHE SEEMS FINE SO FAR. He said.

"Well…how could you tell?"

IF YOU MUST ASK HER THEN DO SO. He said with some frustration.

"She's here now?"

SHE IS INSIDE WORKING.

"Perhaps I will then." Susan said a little coldly.

I SHALL BE IN MY OFFICE. WHEN YOU ARE FINISHED YOU MUST COME TELL ME IF SHE IS WELL ADJUSTED.

"You needn't be derisive about it."

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING OF. Death said innocently…or as innocently as he could.

INCIDENTALLY WOULD IT HURT YOU TO VISIT MORE OFTEN?

Susan sighed and started towards the house.

XXX

It wasn't difficult finding the young woman. Susan had a gift for it, one of many things she inherited from her grandfather. Besides, in the Realm of Death, life tended to stand out in it's own bright haze.

She was in what was supposed to be a sitting room, where someone might offer guests a drink or a cup of coffee after having dinner. The fact that Death never had visitors, coffee, or dinner didn't seem to discourage him from making one.

The young woman seemed to be taking notes on a small pad of drawing paper."Erm…hello." Susan said, not sure how to start the conversation. The woman turned towards her, looking surprised.

At first glance she looked like a young girl in perhaps her early twenties. She was thin and was wearing an oversized button up shirt and what appeared to be men's slacks. But her face, and more so, her eyes, were older.

"Hello…" Elizabeth replied bewilderedly.

"I'm Susan." It occurred to her that, in the circumstances, she should probably elaborate a bit more. "Your working for my Grandfather."

The girl suddenly looked thoughtful and a thin smile played across her lips.

"Ah, yes, he's spoken of you." She said, and looked a little embarrassed.

Susan had spent her whole life looking at things and people in two different ways. On the surface this girl was quite ordinary. She was too thin, her hair had very little luster, and her eyes were dark and had no sparkle. She was very plain…on the surface.

But it was clear that she had gone to some pains to make sure that this was so…and there were certain things that stood out about her despite. She was thin, but she was by no means gangly and she did not have the traditional slouch or coat hanger shoulders of the very thin either. There was also a look and set to her face which was rather handsome if you weren't burdened by a human delusion of traditional beauty.

"Has he?" Susan said in the tones of someone who is actually saying; Oh he has, has he? Well…

"Yes…er I saw the swing."

"Ah…that…never took to it, to be honest." Susan sighed and eyed the room briefly. There were even pictures in frames, fakes of course, probably copied from images he had seen at some point in a museum or something.

"Do you…like working here?" Susan asked after a moments pause. Elizabeth didn't seem surprised by the question.

"It's all right. I couldn't find a better job in town" She looked a bit awkward for a moment. "and your Grandfather is…reasonable."

"Yes, um…look…about my Grandfather…I think that…I mean…he gets a bit odd sometimes…" Susan said. She was not used to talking to ordinary adult people outside of work. And it was hard to tell if Elizabeth knew whom she was working for. She didn't seem mad. And it would seem that if a grown woman could work for Death knowingly, she would have to be mad…or different.

"Oh?" Elizabeth questioned. She didn't seem to have much experience talking to people either. "He isn't always like this?"

"Well…he goes through phases sometimes, see…he'll get over it eventually but…I mean…before he gets over them something usually goes wrong."

Elizabeth frowned.

"What do you mean wrong?"

"Well he sort of…I mean sometimes he's not…really himself. He gets a little carried away."

"Oh?"

Susan sighed.

"Look, if you wanted to just…sort of leave and not come back…I'm sure he wouldn't mind…"

"You don't think so?"

"Or…well…he'd get over it anyway." Elizabeth smiled.

"That's all right. I need this job…and he really is…pleasant." Elizabeth said, a little awkwardly. Susan raised her brow. Pleasant wasn't a word Susan was used to hearing in regards to her grandfather.

I TRUST YOU TWO ARE GETTING ALONG ALL RIGHT. Death folded his hands behind his back. Both girls looked up at his sudden appearance.

"Yes, fine." Susan said sternly. "We were talking."

GOOD. He seemed to think about something for a moment.

AH, YES, SUSAN, ALBERT IS FRYING SOME POTATOES AND SOME MEAT, WHICH CAME OFF OF A COW, AND I WAS THINKING, SINCE IT HAS BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME…

"I'm quite busy." Susan said quickly. "I have a parent teacher meeting this afternoon…"

AH…I SEE. He said, a little dejectedly.

"Anyways, since when do you eat?" She asked.

I HAVE… He responded.

"Yes, but it isn't as if you must…I don't see why you would even bother.

I ONLY THOUGHT IT WOULD BE NICE TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOU IS ALL. He said, a little perturbed.

"Yes well…I don't see why you should even bother asking, I mean, it isn't as if I usually have much choice but to come down her and mend some predicament you've gotten yourself into."

I DO NOT BELIEVE I ASKED YOU TO COME HERE TODAY. Death replied. AND BESIDES, YOU CANNOT HONESTLY TELL ME THAT OUR PAST MEETINGS HAVE NOT BEEN VERY IMPORTANT.

"It doesn't matter! For once I'd like someone to ask me whether or not I want to get involved with things rather then showing up unexpected and bothering me until I put everything on hold so I can have some damn adventure!"

YOU HAVE ALWAYS HAD A CHOICE, SUSAN.

"Hah!" They fell into heated silence.

"Er, I think it's time I go." Elizabeth said, choosing a moment when both Susan and Death were not speaking. She had found herself in the midst of a family affair and was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Both of them turned towards her.

YOU ARE CERTAIN? YOU HAVE NOT BEEN HERE LONG ENOUGH TO MAKE ANY PROGRESS.

"Yes well, there's always tomorrow."

YES…OF COURSE. LET US GO THEN.

Elizabeth stood, and gave Susan an embarrassed smile.

"Nice meeting you." She said before heading out the door.

"Granddad." Susan said, as Death started to follow. He stopped.

SUSAN?

"Why are you doing this?"

I HAVE SAID. IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE.

"Yes, but Albert said that…well he seemed to think that you were taking more interest in the girl then what was necessary."

SHE IS INTERESTING.

"Yes…but…why?" Susan asked desperately.

I…CANNOT EXPLAIN. I MUST GO, ELIZABETH IS WAITING.

XXX

I APPOLOGIZE ABOUT EARLIER…IT IS RUDE TO ARGUE IN FRONT OF A STRANGER. Death said as he and Elizabeth touched down in front of her house.

"It's all right." Elizabeth said. "It's common for family to argue." (In some families it's even a kind of a hobby. In these cases argument is usually a kind of pleasurable pastime during family reunions and holidays.)

YES?

"My mother and father argued all the time…" She slid off of the horse and brushed off her pants absently.

OH? WHAT DO NORMAL FAMILIES ARGUE ABOUT?

"Oh…I don't know, my parents always argued about land, money…me on occasion."

HMM.

Elizabeth sighed.

"Well…" She said as she eyed her house. "Tomorrow then?"

YES. ER, ELIZABETH?

"Yes?" She asked, noting, once more that he was using her first name. She wondered briefly if he even knew that he was doing it.

ARE YOU…ADJUSTING WELL TO THIS ARRANGEMENT?

"Pardon?" She gave him a questioning look.

NORMALLY HUMAN'S HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME ADJUSTING TO THE OCCULT.

"Oh…well…I'm…all right."

YOU ARE NOT BOTHERED?

"I rather think I'm getting used to the whole thing." She said, smiling slightly. For a moment, he looked a little ill at ease.

AND ME? She frowned a little

"Well…it was a little… upsetting at first…" She said, a little awkwardly. He looked slightly disappointed as she said it.

"But…I think I'm getting used to it now." She said carefully.

ER…WELL…THAT'S GOOD.

"It's just not often that someone works for Death and all…"

YES…I UNDERSTAND.

"Er…sorry." She wasn't sure why she felt she should apologize…she just did. "Um…you really are…er…"

IT'S QUITE ALL RIGHT…I UNDERSTAND. He said, a little gloomily. I SHALL SEE YOU TOMORROW, MISS SHAUL.

"Er…right…" She said, suddenly feeling dreadful. He pulled on Binky's reigns and within a few seconds was gone.

Elizabeth sighed and turned towards her house.

As she reached the door, she spotted an envelope tucked slightly underneath. She raised her eyebrow and frowned slightly. In her experience any mail coming here wasn't good news. She took the envelope carefully and headed inside.

XXX

I've had a difficult time with this chapter, not sure if I like it or not. Anyways, hopefully it's not too horrible. Thanks for the reviews!